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Show ~ WASATCH COUNTY COURIER is, who good government is being accountable for their decisions and actions. Well deserved critiquing is a necessary part of the American system of government. _ We applaud sincere and honest reporting of local issues. __. We encourage voters to be informed : by getting information from the spon- sors of the Seven-Member Council - Initiative, not just hearsay from the opponents. We have read carefully the - proposal, evaluated. it’s solid, and fully support it. We are open to discuss this issue with anyone interested at 654 3623 ro we can direct you to knowl -edgeable members of our mushrooming organization “Voters Representative Government”. For A > Listen to the real numbers of the cost. Don’t be frightened by the common and false argument “too much power in the hands of one” or by the WATCHPAC label, when in truth the ‘manager who has at least a Masters in Public Administration to run the municipality. The manager’s position is defined by the contract drafted by the council such as: grounds for dismissal, whether or not the manager must live in the municipality, what freedoms or lim-_ itations are expected of the job, etc. of retiring military personnel and not the hundreds of loyal, respected, conservaSeven-Member Council. It is a neces- accelerated growth to move forward with proper representation, profession- alism and integrity. Jack and Ronda Rose Cleanse Current Gov't I have been able to read the fullpage advertisements that have appeared in the newspapers of the valley regarding the council/manager proposition. I have been perplexed why Wasatch County has not tried to change its form of government sooner, especially in view of the astronomical growth that has occurred in the valley for the past several years. I would like to add a bit of perspective related to the controversy surrounding the proposed council/manager system of government. I have been acquainted with the council/manager form of government all my life. My father is a retired city manager. He has worked in eight different cities time to REALLY start thinking of the common good of the county. I hope you INTRUSIVE in our lives it is, and 3. How | will attend the scheduled debates, and much MONEY is spent. The only regu- ee , a lation I see in this initiative is that we the Heber City. The School Board has 5 | ae the line Good Members Mike newspapers stated that: “the idea to change from a commission form of gov- Planning Commission has seven members PLUS a County Planner. ISITTOO Both Michael Moulton and ernment in which the commissioners have both the legislative & executive (Mike D “At Da ee point Set it might Mies rs some time be prudent, this change, by groups and several individuals. Two and a half years ago this process began. The Commissioners KNEW about it, but didn’t accept the invitation to work together. | Michael, 2 1/2 years isn’t “rushing” — STAFF WRITERS, | Erin MeGunine BOOK a and we certainly could save money by | | avoiding all this litigation. Litigation, — for, in yet more own Deputy increased taxes. County Attorney, ‘Thomas Low, said: “Wasatch County is in the midst of fending off more law-. suits than any other county in Utah” those who claim the status quo is into anything. Where was your group 2 bestTo because it is working, I ask, is this | 1/2 years ago? The law clearly states that _ a government that is WORKING . the County could have put a plan of their own on the ballot, but instead, they had _ WELL? The litigation| involves hunDerek Pullan fighting for them, to keep it dreds of households, are a ALL CONTRIBUTORS aa Matt Se ge Heimberger ART DIRECTOR involved are not that much different — that we the citizens, are going to have to _ _ Kirsten Shaw Tim Westby Sam Allen. made by other writers, that the costs Our ~ Russ Riggs Derek Jensen Paul Swenson BIG? Every Corporation has board members and a CEO, which is why you pay Jon Lamoreaux Paulette Tillman Sports Editor — need a_ : professional manager, TRAINED to do their job. I see nothing _ but the initiative is rushing people into intrusive here, just good representation : something they don’t fully understand.” and sound management. The third way government is is big is - (Michael Moulton) Mike Davis also measured by how much money is stated “let’s do it right the first time.” spent. I think the case has been well I find it interesting that these two opponents realize there is a need for change. Now let’s state some FACTS: Two and a half years ago the. Commissioners were approached about. : Arts & ia Editor Education Editor with a Superintendent, the 8Oard of Health has 5-7 members with a Director, even the Animal Control has 2/ members. The Wasatch County tive citizens that are supportive of this _Davis in their respective articles in the . sary change for us as a county with - this isn’t of the same magnitude, but it’s meet the candidate nights: Make an informed decision, and then exercise ‘The manager has been trained on how | people will have the representation, and ~ your God given: right to VOTE. Echo Neal to maximize the efficiency of a county thus a VOICE in county government. There WILL be more aepountabilty, and government as well as its fiscal responthat is a GOOD thing! _ sibilities. The manager can consolidate Our own Heber City has been run— redundant services and run them himWASATCH COUNTY .. self. The manger can help eliminate . ning. quite well with 5- City Council Members, a Mayor and a City MANAG‘some of the nepotism, favoritism, and waste of monies going to the Special . ER. (GASP! A Professional Manager!) | Wasatch County’s Source for News Service Districts that we have been They work together. They get things reading about so much in the Wave and. done Which brings me to the other Olde Swiss Square | the Courier for the past year or so. The , argument against this initiative, and ~ 210 East Main that is “the county manager is appointmanager saves the council time and Midway, UT 84032. money, time which the council does not ed and not elected, and you won't be have to divide between their personal _ able to get rid of them.” This is simply PO Box 1030 ~ Midway, UT 84049 false. The Manager is HIRED by those — livelihood and Wasatch County’s busi(435) 654-2661 ness. A seven-member council will whom we will vote to represent us. If at (435) 654- 2531(f) anytime the Manager fails to fulfill their — | actually be more efficient, provide more experience, and be less expensive. _ _ responsibilities, or we the electorate, =| | wasatchcountycourier@yahoo.« com. are dissatisfied. we go to those that we I personally feel it is a mistake N OT elected, and they on our behalf have the to change our present form of govern- ASSOCIATE puna ment. The old farm horse did a good | power to FIRE the manager. If the manUtah Press Association job for us in the past but its time to put ager were an. elected position you To sin by silence when they should would have to wait until their term was it out to pasture, with proper respect, protest, makes cowards of men and get a new thoroughbred to run us © up; HOPE that someone would run —Abraham Lincoln into the future. | against them, and HOPE that people would vote him/her out. That certainly ; As a citizen, you deserve more eae S EAL. is not as simple as firing someone. mation. I welcome your questions. EDITOR & PUBL ISHER Unfortunately, we now have no recall Please call me, or better yet, I can give Dan Stephens provision, but even if we did, it requires ‘you my fathers’ number so that he can ADVERTISING DIRECTOR explain first hand how the council/man-_ a petition of approximately 15% of the - Susan Stanley vote to remove them. ager form of government works. OFFICE MANAGER - As far as the seven-man oi: _ Join me in voting for a more efficient _ Dixie Bishop eine too big, our entire county is run Wasatch County Government. -MANAGING EDITOR | much the same wayI have already sited Jon Lamoreaux - Brian H. Felsch| initiative was drafted by individual vot_ ers, then written and revised by competent legal representation. There are actual elimination of government offices. Big government is not measured by the ‘number of employees you have, but by tL. How REGULATORY it is, 2. How i Much has been said recently about unwarranted criticism. A hallmark of ment. What he didn’t tell us, is that the down sizing that did occur, was because Auibee Stephens Advertising Executive Diayne Davey _ Circulation/MIS _ Security Dylan Stephens _ Ramona Tmemnmemnan mttay sioners where they tried to remove the Seven-Member Council Initiative from the ballot. Thank you so much for publicizing the facts on this action. Clinton had achieved smaller govern- ‘budget problems, and planning issues. The council hires a_ professional __PRESIDENT/CEO Michael J. Kearns. - DEADLINES _ Noon Wednesday Advertising Classified Noon Noon Story & Article Flyer & Insert — - Monday Friday Spm Friday For questions or comments to the Courier, please call. _ (435) 654-2661, or fax information to (435) 654-2531 myer STL citizens can go for local information. We were particularly pleased to get actual dialogue on the | August 23rd meeting of the commis- of federal employees he and President or visit during office hours, Monday—Friday,-9 am—5S pm, at 650 West, 100 South, Heber City, Utah 84032. Disclaimer—The Wasatch County Courier, LLC is locally * owned and operated by Silver King Media Group, LLC and printed by the Ogden Standard-Examiner. Any claims made by letters to the editor, advertisers or in classified advertising are not those of the Wasatch County Courier, 7 — paper where Preparation and planning for the future i is essential, as well as having the ‘courage to make change, when change is needed. Had the patriots during the infancy of this country lacked the courage to — make a necessary change when it was needed, we'd all be singing “God save the Queen” as our national anthem. Certainly LLC or its staff. The Wasatch County Courier, LLC is not _ liable for any such claims or for any loss or grievance claimed by those not of the same opinion. _ | © 2000 Wasatch County Courier, LLC 1 We would like to start by publicly - thanking the Courier for being a local though I don’t live in her district. tell the American people in the last debate that by down sizing the number . Courier Informs MENT. “ What is “big government?” Presidential Candidate Al Gore tried to | Julia Connary, Center Creek working well. We need representation. The county will not be divided and pinned against each other as some have argued, because ultimately the seven -councel members represent the whole county. Just as Betty Smedley represents me on the school board even ; seven- member commission. right” and no one would have tried to stop you. The County just plain didn’t want a change, nor did they want, we the ‘people, fo even VOTE on this initiative. _ “The other argument against this proposal, is that this is BIG GOVERN- : representing them. I am more afraid of secrecy and closed meetings than a designed to deal with municipalities _people to decide between them. Mr. Davis you had a chance to “do it experiencing change, such as: growth, wrong ~—— will be concerned for the wants and needs of the majority in this area. The north east portion should have a voice is clearly Poe “ story Something with this picture, and I beg to differ with those of you on the opposite side. This current form of government is NOT ; real _ wrong? \ The balks We chald beave feadl tos ~ enjoyed his job, however, because it to help municcontrols the land and water has the» gave him the opportunity ipalities solve budget problems and help power. Is it in the best interests of. Wasatch County residents to have this _them run more efficiently. ‘The council/manager form of govmuch power in the hands of a few ? ernment has been in existence for over Woodland and Wallsberg need their — 50 years. This form of government has own representatives. The people of been designed to be one of the most effiCharleston stood up for their rights and cient forms of municipal government. rejected the sewer, I want a representaThis form of government is especially tive from the Center Creek Area that Government. at dp initiatives to choose from, and allow the ans eetnntns pent AOR ager was very tenuous because it was Fear of losing control and power is very easy for the council of the munict _ clouding the issues. More representation from “the people” is not Big _palities he worked for to fire him. He “Cimon, anes during his career. His position as man- Local Representation ened OCTOBER 25, 2000 |